KEY POINTS

• President Tinubu signed the NIMC Act 2026 into law, replacing the 2007 legislation to modernise Nigeria’s digital identity system.
• The new law strengthens cybersecurity, digital authentication, and data sharing while making the National Identification Number (NIN) the country’s primary identity credential.
• Government officials say the Act will improve security, financial inclusion, public service delivery, and Nigeria’s digital economy.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed the National Identity Management Commission, NIMC, Act 2026 into law, replacing the 2007 legislation that established Nigeria’s identity management framework.

The signing ceremony took place on Friday at the State House in Abuja and marks a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s drive to modernise the country’s digital identity ecosystem.

The new legislation provides an updated legal framework for the management of digital identities, strengthens cybersecurity, enhances national security, and aligns Nigeria’s identity management system with global best practices and emerging technologies.

Government officials say the Act is designed to support Nigeria’s rapidly expanding digital economy while improving the security and reliability of digital identity services nationwide.

NIMC becomes Nigeria’s digital trust authority

Speaking after the signing, Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, explained that the new law officially designates the National Identity Management Commission as Nigeria’s certification authority for the country’s National Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI).

According to the minister, the commission now has the legal authority to issue secure digital identities, authenticate users, and provide electronic trust services that will facilitate secure online transactions.

He added that the Act also enables safer and faster sharing of information between government agencies and private organisations, reducing duplication while improving service delivery across sectors.

Tunji-Ojo described the legislation as the legal foundation for Nigeria’s growing digital infrastructure, noting that it will strengthen identity management, harmonise government databases, improve interoperability among agencies, and ensure secure digital authentication.

A key provision of the new law is the formal recognition of the National Identification Number (NIN) as Nigeria’s primary identity credential under the government’s “One Person, One Identity” policy.

Officials believe this provision will eliminate multiple identities, improve the accuracy of government records, and strengthen identity verification across public and private institutions.

The policy is also expected to enhance planning, social service delivery, financial inclusion, and access to government programmes.